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In October 2000, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325 which reaffirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts as well as in post-conflict reconstruction. Since the resolution was passed, the Swedish Armed Forces have gone through an impressive process of change that has set the agenda for instituting Resolution 1325 in militaries throughout the world. What began as a project of limited scope within the Swedish armed forces has steadily evolved to mainstream a gender perspective, conduct training, and to establish specific gender-related functions and institutions such as Gender Field Advisors, Gender Focal Points and the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations.

Through extensive interviews and analyses of internal documents, this study provides a unique understanding of these organizational processes, the driving factors and the roadblocks within the armed forces, as well as the impact of a gender perspective in the field of operations. This insight, and the resulting lessons learned, is not only essential for the continued process of implementation in the Swedish case, but also for similar processes in the armed forces and other security related organizations around the world.

"If military units are to operate effectively in the population-centric operations of the 21st Century, as well as to combat sexual violence in war, the commanders, their staffs and their forces need to be properly prepared to meet the challenges they face, including understanding the gender aspects of operations. This book is therefore a timely and important contribution to that process and I commend it to those whose responsibility it is to train and prepare our soldiers, sailors, airmen/women and marines for operations." General Sir Richard Shirreff, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DCACEUR). In this important and engaging book, the authors outline an enlightened narrative about UNSCR 1325 implementation for key stakeholders, including the military, women and civil society, international and government policy makers, and academia. A must read for anyone who works on the women, peace and security agenda. Dr. Kathleen Kuehnast, Director, Center for Gender and Peacebuilding, USIP

1. Introduction: The Accomplishments and the Challenges 2. Gender, Feminism, and Military Effectiveness 3. Changing the Armed Forces 4. A Gender Perspective in the Field of Operations 5. Recruitment, Harassment, and Equal Rights: The Rights-based Processes 6. Evaluating the Process and Impact of Change 7. Conclusion: Improving and Spreading the Implementation